47 in 24: St. Louis Jr. Blues
September 4, 2017
The 47 in 24 series will feature an in-depth look into all 47 teams in the NA3HL for the 2017-18 season, with new teams being highlighted daily, leading all the way up until the start of the regular season. 47 in 24 goes in-depth into each NA3HL team and will include interviews with all 47 head coaches in the NA3HL, as they provide fans with their expectations and outlook for the 2017-18 season, including taking a look at their potential roster and their strengths as a team for the upcoming season. It will also take a look back on the 2016-17 season and how each team fared and what they accomplished. Best of all, 47 in 24 will provide the fans of the NA3HL with an inside look at their favorite team and what to expect.
St. Louis Jr. Blues
2016-17 Record: 36-9-2, 74 pts. (1st in Midwest Division)
2017 Playoffs: Won the Midwest Division, lost in the Silver Cup round-robin
Head Coach: Chris Flaugher
2017-18 Division: Midwest
The St. Louis Jr. Blues had another great run through the playoffs and made the Silver Cup Championship as the Midwest Division champs. However, the Jr. Blues fell short in the round-robin after a close loss to the Metro Jets. Head Coach Chris Flaugher considers last seasons regular season performance and advancement and commitments of players a huge success for his team.
“We saw players from our team earn opportunities at the NAHL which is our primary goal. From the college standpoint, we saw seven players from last year's roster make college commitments and two of our alumni that played in the NAHL made NCAA Division I commitments,” said Flaugher.
After finishing the regular season 36-9-2 and winning the Midwest Division, the Jr. Blues lost their final round-robin game in a wild contest the Metro Jets. Although the post-season did not end with the Silver Cup title that Flaugher wanted, he learned a lot about his team.
“I think one of the biggest lessons learned was competing all 60 minutes of a hockey game. We came very close last year to making the final four of the Silver Cup and found ourselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard in the final minute and seconds of two games,” said Flaugher.
This season Flaugher's main emphasis on building his team was to find players that are serious about their development and want to play at the next level.
“We want the players that want to use our program to make it to the NAHL and higher. For the older players, we want to be able to provide them with great educational opportunities from playing in our league,” said Flaugher.
Flaugher makes it a top priority to get his players to the next level. With seven commitments last year, Flaugher wants even more for the upcoming season.
“Our expectations are the same every year. We want our players to compete and become better hockey players. We don't judge our season on wins and losses, but the development of our players,” said Flaugher.
The St. Louis Jr. Blues season starts on the road September 9th when they take on the Peoria Mustangs.
Next up in the 47 in 24 series: Texas Brahmas
